How the New Chevrolet Colorado Stacks up Against the Tacoma and Frontier

Truck buyers are known for having strong brand allegiances. If your dad and his dad drove a Chevy, Ford, or Ram, chances are you’ll do the same.

But the midsized pickup category is slightly different. Long since neglected by the Big Three, Chevrolet is back with the all-new Colorado to challenge the genre veterans Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier.

Please note: The data and opinions provided here are from a Motor Trend article written by professional auto journalists.

Acceleration

When you have to make a pass on the highway, you need to know that your truck can get up to speed quickly. Tested against the other trucks’ V6 engines, the 3.6L 6-cylinder Colorado can go from 0-100 km/h in about 7.4 seconds—compared to 7.7 and 7.8 for the Tacoma and Frontier, respectively.

Refinement

Stump-pulling power is nice, but when it’s attached to unpleasant noises and vibrations, it becomes far less enjoyable. Reviewers found that the exhaust note on the Tacoma was “loud” and observed that the Toyota wasn’t very eager to rev. For the Frontier, its V6 engine was described as disagreeably “industrial.” Conversely, the Colorado was praised for it’s “livelier” throttle response and “smooth” revving.

Ride Control

Consistent performance—whether your pickup is empty or loaded to the gunnels—is trademark of a reliable workhorse. The Chevy Colorado exhibited the smallest change in ride movement, unloaded versus loaded with 880 lbs., at 3% according to MT’s vertical g sensors. This is a significant difference with the Tacoma and Frontier, who registered 13% and 14% ride changes on the instruments, respectively.

Interior

Though trucks are meant to be rugged, today’s buyers appreciate a comfortable and ergonomic cabin for everyday commutes and jobs. Journalists found that the Colorado had the comfiest seats, best infotainment system (by far), and the most spacious rear seating area. In comparison, the Tacoma was criticised for its interior switches that looked as if they belonged in a “1990s Camry.” And as for the Frontier, one reviewer complained that its back seat was particularly “claustrophobic.”